The best of John Tortorella: Rangers coach fired, but comments will live forever

John Tortorella fired: Rangers post-game comments will live forever

The New York Rangers fired John Tortorella on Wednesday, and judging by his usual news conferences, he probably has a lot to say about that. Here are 10 memorable quotes from your favourite ex-head coach.

“You can tell James Duthie to shove that quiz. I have a few other words I can tell you about the quiz.”
— When Tortorella became the Rangers’ new coach, he was happy to leave the TSN quiz behind.

“It’s a cheap, dirty hit. I wonder what would happen if we did it to their two whining stars over there.”
— Angry about a hit to Derek Stepan by the Penguins’ Brooks Orpik, Tortorella unleashed his wrath on the Penguins, making reference here to Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby, and calling the team an “arrogant organization” in April 2012. He was fined $20,000 for those feelings.

“I have to make that decision regarding this. So kiss my ass if you want to run something different.”
— Tortorella defended Brad Richards after making him a healthy scratch in an important Game 4 last week, but he didn’t want the media to “pile on” the Rangers alternate captain.

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“Some of you [reporters] sit here and tell me I’m curt or whatever. I’m not going to have a staring contest. If you don’t ask me questions, I’ll just leave.”
— Tortorella, in May 2012, when asked by a reporter why he gives such short answers after the game.

“I’m not sure if NBC got together with the refs and wanted to turn this into an overtime game. I’m not sure if they had meetings about that or what.”
— Tortorella was not happy with the officiating at the Winter Classic in January 2012, but this particular rant earned him a sizable $30, 000 fine.

“He’s a good player. If you have a chance, finish him. Don’t [expletive] your pants on him.”
— Tortorella on Leafs forward Phil Kessel, from the team’s appearance on HBO’s 24/7 with the Flyers. The series documented their road to the Winter Classic.

“You were probably beat up at the bus stop most of the time.”
— Tortorella has an ongoing feud of sorts with New York Post reporter Larry Brooks. At this January 2010 news conference, he also told him to “go stand somewhere else.”

“We suck and we suck at a time we can’t suck.”
— Tortorella shares his feelings after a loss to the Sabres.

“Ask me a question. Don’t say talk about it, ask me a question. I’m not going to talk about it if it isn’t a question.”
— Tortorella is often irritated by the media and is never afraid to answer a question with an abrupt “no” or “next question.”